Contents
English
Etymology
Middle English forgiven (“‘to forgive’”) from Old English forġiefan (“‘to forgive, give up, provide’”), corresponding to for- + give. Cognate with Dutch vergeven, German vergeben.
Pronunciation
- enPR: fər-gĭv', fôr-gĭv', IPA: /fə(r)ˈɡɪv/, /fɔː(r)ˈɡɪv/, SAMPA: /f@(r)ˈgIv/, /fO:(r)ˈgIv/
-
Audio (US) (file)
Verb
|
Infinitive to forgive |
Third person singular forgives |
Simple past forgave |
Past participle forgiven |
Present participle forgiving |
to forgive (third-person singular simple present forgives, present participle forgiving, simple past forgave, past participle forgiven)
- (transitive) To pardon, to waive any negative feeling or desire for punishment.
- Only the brave know how to forgive...A coward never forgave; it is not in his nature. - Laurence Sterne
- (intransitive) To accord forgiveness.
References
- forgive in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
- forgive in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
|
